Aurora

Two

As the black S.H.I.E.L.D van stopped outside of the Avenger's compound, the Avengers began to gather outside. First came a man in a smart shirt and jeans, followed by a young girl dressed in a skirt, leggings and a red hoodie. After that they were joined by another man in a smart shirt and jeans, and then a man in an AC/DC t-shirt.

Fury opened the van door from the inside and Maria stepped out, closely followed by Rory. The four Avengers standing in front of them stared for few seconds before the man in AC/DC t-shirt spoke up.

"Is it?" he asked, sounding almost breathless.

"It is." Fury told him.

Rory was stood to the side and slightly behind Maria, who soon gestured for her to go and meet the four people.

After learning their names (Steve, Wanda, Bruce and Tony), they went inside. The lobby was huge, and so modern-looking. An AI sounding voice could be heard from above, alerting someone of the new arrival. No sooner did they walk in did the rest of the Avengers appear in front of them.

Immediately, Rory could tell who was her mother. Not only due to the fact that she was the only woman in the group, but also due to the fact that she looked almost identical to her. The woman stepped forward and gave Rory a genuine smile as a tear slid down her cheek. Rory stepped forward also and made a beeline towards her mother, who embraced her for the first time in nine years.

"Эй, дорогуша. это было какое-то время, а?" Natasha whispered through tears. Rory nodded, crying also. "Мне жаль. Мне очень, очень жаль." apologised Natasha, holding her daughter as close as humanly possible.

"Это нормально. Я понимаю." Rory reassured her.

"Ты лучший." spoke Natasha.

They pulled away from one another and Natasha looked into her daughter's eyes for the first time in what seemed like a lifetime. Her sparkling blue-green eyes that resembled her own so much that it made her wonder whether she was looking in a mirror, whether it was all a dream.

"You're so beautiful." she said, running a hand through Rory's platinum blonde hair.

"Elle prend après toi." smirked a man she would later learn to be called Clint.

Natasha shook her head and turned to face the man, and she just rolled her eyes. He jokingly shrugged his shoulders and started to walk up the stairs when everyone else started walking too. Tony, who was the only one there who also knew French, smiled and let out a small laugh at Clint's attempt at flirting, even though he knew he couldn't do better himself.

Natasha put her arm around Rory's shoulders and only let go when the group reached the Avenger's living quarters. They had been left by a few people along the way, namely Sam, Bruce, Rhodey, Maria and Fury; all of whom had other business to attend to.

"Welcome to your new home." said Tony loudly, holding his arms out and making a full turn before he walked towards the sitting room and turned off the TV. "JARVIS, play Cap's playlist on a medium volume."

"But, Sir. According to the schedule you have stored in my database, it's Dr Banner's turn to have his music playing. Are you sure you want to play Captain Rogers' playlist?" the AI spoke loudly.

"Did I ask you to play Cap's playlist?" asked Tony, not waiting for an answer before he said, "Yes, I did, so play Cap's playlist."

"As you wish, Sir." replied the AI, as Frank Sinatra started playing in every room in the apartment.

"Your room is just down the hall, I'm sure our very own Katniss Everdeen would be delighted to show you to it." said the billionaire to Rory.

"Okay, how many times, Stark. I am not Katniss Everdeen." Clint said, sounding annoyed.

"Katniss Everdeen's pretty badass." said Rory.

Clint raised an eyebrow. "Tu penses?"

"Putain, oui. Une fille a sauvé tout un pays. Soyez fier de qui êtes, fille de feu." replied Rory.

Tony smiled at this interaction also, knowing that Rory and Clint were going to be good friends. He secretly hoped that one day he would be her step-dad, but he knew that Natasha had no time for romance, especially not with a fellow Avenger. It would just complicate matters and she had to focus on work.

"Come on, Rory. I'll show you your room." said Clint, walking down the hall as Rory followed him.